A GREETINGS card manufacturer is to expand its premises and its workforce after tapping into a funding scheme designed to support the growth of the economy.

The Handcrafted Card Company Ltd has secured a five-figure loan to enable it to expand its warehouse in Hempstalls Lane, Newcastle.

The business, established in 2003 by husband and wife team Andrew and Donna Biggs, manufactures handmade greeting cards for independent trade retailers across the UK, such as department stores, gift shops and boutiques.

It also sells a wide range of 'DIY' wedding stationery products, including invitations, guest books and table pieces.

After enjoying an increase in customer orders in recent years, Andrew and Donna realised they needed additional space in their 5,000 sq ft warehouse.

The funding provided after the couple switched to Lloyds Bank will also enable them to take on two new members of staff in the near future.

Andrew, co-director of The Handcrafted Card Company, said: "Our creativity and passion for craft flows through our business, and over the last year we've grown and expanded our reach to offer unique and high quality greetings cards and wedding stationery for retailers and customers all over the country.

"We had simply grown out of our existing operations, so the expansion of the warehouse was vital to enable us to stock a higher quantity of products, and will enable us to continue to expand our product line and provide new and exciting options for our extensive customer base."

Funding for Lending (FLS) is the Bank of England and Treasury scheme to boost bank lending to households and companies by up to £70 billion.

Banks and building societies are able to access the funds until the end of January 2015.

As part of this scheme, Lloyds Bank is offering discounts of one per cent to all SMEs in all sectors for the life of their loan.

Andrew added: "The local team at Lloyds Bank has been extremely supportive of our plans for expansion, and are helping to encourage the business to thrive.

"This comes at a great time for us, in the midst of the wedding season, when customer demand is at an annual high, and we are grateful for the support we have received from the bank."

Joanne Shufflebotham, relationship manager at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking in Newcastle, said: "The Handcrafted Card Company is a popular choice for customers looking for original cards and stationery, and it has built up a fantastic reputation among trade retailers and customers alike since it began trading 11 years ago.

"The expansion of the warehouse space marks an important milestone for the business and its growth ambitions, and job creation is always welcome news to the local economy.

"We are committed to supporting SMEs like The Handcrafted Card Company with their plans for growth and expansion, and since we launched our FLS offer in September 2012, we have committed £6.3 billion to our SME customers."

Paul Fisher, executive director for markets at the Bank of England, said: "Since the FLS was launched in mid-2012, FLS participants' net lending to households and businesses has been around £10 billion. In 2014 the FLS will continue to support lending to businesses, where it is most needed."

Has your company secured an FLS loan? Email us at letters@thesentinel.co.uk